Automobile-horn.



E. TESTE 6I E. MALIVERT.

AUTOMOBILE HORN.`

APPLICATION FILED AuG.I9. 1913.

WITNESSES ATTORNEYS E. TESTE & E. MALIVERT.

AUTOMOBILE HORN. A/PPLICATION FILED Aua.19.1913.

. Patented @en 15, 19m

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W ////////////m v WITNES s Es :NVE NTORS f3 Mg BY M v ATTORNEYS E. TESTE @I E. II/IALII/EITT.

AUTOMOBILE HORN.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.I9. 1913.

Patented. Oct.A 15, 1918..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig. 27.

INVENTO R5 T5575 MAM/WPT /ITTORNE YS VVITNESSES 'usaran sarna? rsa-insta .onirica .rammed @camarera Application md Angustia, 191s. serial No. 755,581.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, ETIENNELTESTLO 28 Cite Lemire, and EUGENE MALIVERT, of 17 Rue du Pr Saint-GerVais,' both 'in "the city of Paris, Republic of France, 'have 'invented Improvements in Automobile-Horns Applicable to Wind Instruments Generally, of which the following is a full, clear,'and exact description.

The present invention relates to a sound generating apparatus, particularly applicable to automobile horns.

This sound generating apparatus isof the vibrating apparatus type, Vcomprising a flexible membrane caused to vibratebyV the vaction of air or other fluid underI ressure, the current of air being allowed to ow oil'ly in the form of an undulatory current.

The present apparatus comprises a chamber for the reception of the fluid injected, a space of discharge constituted by a trumpet and an operating or vibrating'member covering the exhaust orifice opening into the trumpet, the iluid under pressure in order to reach the trumpet moving the operating member to uncover the exhaust orifice.

The essential feature of the present 1nvention consists in an operating Surface constituted by a thin membrane, or diaphragm, taut, and preferably metallic and causing an elastic pressure', 'regulated at will, on the end of the mouth' piece of a trumpet, or inversely.

The putting of the saidvapparatus in operation comprises the two following phases;

The air sent into the reception chamber cannot escape through theltrumpetilntil the moment at whichV its pressure' has become suiciently strong to overcome `the o pposed resistance of the 'membrane 'or' diaphragm.

5,-The moment this resistance is overcome there is produced betweensaid membrane or diaphragm and the edge of the tube of the trumpet, an oriice' elastieally regulated through 'which the air enters the trumpet by brusk and successive discharges.

By its'. especial combination thepresent apparatus is susceptible of producing very powerful or very soft sounds'of a? pitohfar more agreeable than ,that of the soundslpro- Vduced by the existing reed apparatus.

In vthe presenti apparatus the nature of lthe soundspro'duced is varied at 'willby' regulating the pressure of. the membrane or diaphragm vatV the end of' the loutl'et 'of the air tube, 'either b adjusting' the latter in regard to the peripheral resting surface 'of the diaphragm or by regulating a pressure member, for instance, a spring for pushing one of 'the members, the membrane or diaphragmifor instance, against `the other, (the end of the mouth 'piece'of the trumpet).

Furthermore the sound produced "what- 'ever be its power, pitch because of the fact that the end othe air ytube on which is applied the' membrane or -`diaphragm, constitutes the mouthpiece of the trumpet or resonance' tube.

1n the annexed drawings, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 show in longitudinal section different variants lof the apparatus.

Figs/8 to 18 'are detail views showing different' lforms of the mouthpiece of the air -return tubersecured'to the sound amplifying trumpet or resonator.

'Figs.-19to 24a-re detail views showing in elevation andsection three-forms of membrane.

Fig. T25 *shows a. membrane over 'which are 1 stretched tone giving strings.

Fig. 26 showsin 'perspective an-` exterior view of the 'apparatus furnished with 'a conical trumpet. v f Y ,y

FigJQ-shows in longitudinal section another medifiedform; and

Fig. 2,8 is a detail view.

As will'be seen in-Fig. 1, the apparatus coniprisesl a`V` boxv a 'constituting an 'air 'fehamberandV urnishedflwith a' nipple'a1 to which y'issecrred the`y pipeth-rou'gh -which compressed Kir is Suppliedthr by an :india `rubberE bulb, by asmall pump,f0r b yany suitable reservoir containing air- 'under pressure.

"Thebody ofthe box is furnished with a circular `lopening a2 covered by a=vibrating 'membrane fb clamped .throughout its f circumference bet-weena flange-zs of the box a1 vand a cover o Awhich is fixed in place either by' screws, by being-screwed en the box or otherwise. AThe internal fface of the cover is -hollbwe'dlout inf-order topermit the free -piay of the-membrane.

'drsa tilbewhiph is -mountedlso as toexhas also a very agreeable ating sound.

tend within the box a normal to the plane of the membrane b, with its front end d1 bearing against the latter. This tube screws into a screwhreaded sleeve e ,provided at the inside of the box a, in order that by screwing the tube d more or sleeve e the degree of pressure exerted by its extremity Z1 upon the membrane b may be regulated, and as a result, the tension of the latter may be adjusted. Upon 'the tube d is mounted the amplifying trumpet f or resonator of the apparatus for gener-Y By preference the internal surface d2 of the tube d is coned in order against the extremity of that it shall form a 'continuation 'of the internal surface of the trumpet f, so that the tube d thus constitutes the rear portion of this trumpet. Furthermore, the rear extremity d1 is beveled as shown so as to form a conical mouth the edge of which bears at all points on the membrane.

Figs. 2 and 3 show two modifications 1n which the tube` which bears against the membrane b is constituted by the extrem1ty of the tube f1 of the trumpet f, which extremity may either be coned internally as in Fig. 2 or cylindricalas in Fig. 3.

The membrane may also be adjusted the tube d (or the extension f1) of the trumpet f by the pressure of the cover c acting on its other face as'shown in Fig. 4. In this membrane b is clamped throughout its circumference between ,the box a and a ring g which is fixed to the box and threaded interiorly to receive the bottom or coverv c and provided .on its rear face with anannu lar rim c1. As thus constituted, the membrane b receives, at the center portion of one of its faces, the pressure of the tube d and upon its other face'throughout its circumference, the pressure of the cover c, and hence by screwing up more or less the tube d or the cover c the tension of themembrane may be regulated.

The tube l screwed into the box, and

whose rear extremity bears against the membrane b may be iitted', as shown in Fig. 4,

' with a tube n so formed as to constitute a 'screwing it in either mouthpiece nl, the tube 'n2 being screwed Vinto the tube d in such manner that by direction, the capacity of the chamber comprised between the membrane b and the mouthpiece nl may be va-` rid`to obtain grave or acute sounds. The trumpet f or resonator of the instrument is mounted on the tube In.

The tension of the membrane may also be displacement of the membrane itself as shown in Fig. 5. In this case the membrane is fixed throughout its circumference between the cover c and a screw-threaded ring h screwed thereon; the

g ring h itself being threaded interior-ly and less into the I arrangement the' piece yagainst the extremity of the tension screw y' carried by the cover c, this arrangement enabling the pressure of the spring i, and consequently the force with which the membrane b bears against the extremity of thel tube d, to be varied and which is integral with the trumpet. The cover c in this case may be'provided with a number of vents k capable of being opened or closed more or less vby screw pms Zvso as to avoid, within the cover, Aany compressive action which would, be prejudicial to the satisfactory. working of the membrane, n

The,diaphragm in tead of being metallic, can be constituted of a soft substance b1,

for instance skin tissue,"etc., carrying a valve b2; the whole of this soft diaphragm b1 and of this valve b2 is regulated by a tension spring z' under the eect of which the valve b2 is maintained applied on the mouthof the tube. This valve b2 has a stem engaged in a tubular piece m screwed in a tube presented by the cover of the instru' ment, the tubular piece fm. serving at the same time as a guide for the stem of the valve and as an abutment for the tension springi ofthe latter.

The mouthpiece formed either by the extremity of the tube'ol or the extremity of the tube n may have the shape of the mouthpiece usuallyv employed in wind instruments. The entrance end of the mouthpiece may be of circular formV and have a1 cavity which is hemispherical, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9; or conical, as shown in Fig. 10; or the cavity may be cylindrical as shown in Fig. 11, with an internal diameter. greater than that of the entrance end; or againfit may have an opening of rectangular form as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Furthermore, instead of a single orifice, the entrance end of the mouthpiece may present a number of openings each of circular form as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, or as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, of radial dovetail form, or as shown in Fig. 18, in the form of parallel slits.

The membrane b consists of a very thin metalv disk. (for example' atenth ,of a millimeter), as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, whose lperiphery may be slightly curved. This,

disk may be furnished with a series of con- 'centric grooves around its margin, as. shown -1'11 Figs. 21 and 22, 0r it may be provided Lasne?? with a raised pressed-up portion as shownin Figs. 23 and 24, in of the disk which is with the tube d shall indeformable.

The diaphragm may be of any desired form.

In order to modify the number of vibrations of the membrane and consequently the tone emitted., metallic or other strings p may be stretched over the face `of the membrane as shown in Fig. 25.

In the case of a horn, the apparatus may be attached to the vehicle by means of a bracket g (Figs. l and 26) interal with a collar g1 which is attached to e sleeve e of the boX a, and secured to the latter by means of screws 1'. By this arrangement the position of the bracket g relatively to the air su ply tube al may be varied 'at will.

Figs. 2;?) and 28 show a modication in which the membrane is applied against two concentric seats d1 n2 separated by an annular space through which the air acting on the membrane passes. The seat a? is formed by the edge of .a sleeve (Z3, and the seat n2 by the edgeof a liner n3 screwed into the sleeve d3. The sleeve d3 screws into the ring a4 integral with the box a, so that the two seats d1 n2 may be applied against the vibrating membrane with the desired pres'- sure. A

s is the conduit for the compressed air which is secured to the ring a4 and opens out into a circular channel t between the ring and the sleeve/d3. u are oricesin the sleeve Z2 whereby this channel communi cates with the annular space v between the sleeve Fand the liner n3. lA trumpet f or a resonator of any kind is mounted on the sleeve d3. The compressed air delivered by the tube senters the circular groove t, through the orices u, and filling the annular channel o passes through the orifice al and strikes the membrane I; which', as before stated, rests against the two concentric seats d1 n2. The current of air modified by the vibrations of the membrane produces, as it escapes through the trumpet fa very powerful sound.

The trumpet or resonator will have diforder that the portion to come into contact be perfectly flat and l ferent forms aocordingto the purpose for which the sound generated ,is to be employed. This trumpet or resonator may be straight or curved, may be of conical form, oreons-tituted by a .cylindrical pipe similar to an organ pipe.

The trumpet may in certain cases be replaced by a cornet of any usual type. Owing to the fa'ct that the apparatus of this invention. permits the pressure of the membrane a ainst'the extremity of the air discharge tu c to be regulated at will according to thepressure of the air supplied,

it -is possible to actuate the apparatus with exceedingly variable air pressures without the risk of blocking the membrane.

Furthermore, the present apparatus owing to its general construction enables grave or acute sounds of a power considerably greater than those of instruments at present in use and, when desired, very soft sounds to be produced. v

The apparatus, owing to the numerous ad vantages it ous industrial applications, i. e. it may, as already stated, be employed as an automobile horn, or as a signal, or it may be a plied to musical wind instruments notab y organs in which latter application the invention, as it enables the length of the pi es to be considerably lessened, has for elpect to decrease the dimensions of the instrument.

The material of which the membrane is made, its thickness, its elasticity, and the pressure with which it is caused to bear against the air leading in tube, will vary according to the particular application of the apparatus.

Claims: A

l. A sound generator comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber, a com pressed'air supply pipe, a nipple on said air inlet chamber adaptedd to receive theA compressed air supply pipe, the said air inlet chamber presenting an opening in one of its faces, a thin flexible membrane covering said opening, means for securing said flexiblemembrane, an air outlet tube passing through the air inlet chamber, and means pressing the inlet end of said tube and the membrane against one another.

2. A sound generator, comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber, a compressed air supply pipe, a nipple on said chamber adapted to receive the compressed air supply pipe; the said air inlet chamber presenting an opening on one of its faces, a thin flexible membrane covering said opening, means for securing said iieXible membrane in position, an air outlet tube passing through the air inlet chamber and means for causing the inlet end of said tube and the said membrane to press one on the other, and to allow of the regulating of said pressure.

.3. A sound generator comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber provided with a nipple, a compressed air supply pipe secured to said nipple, the air-inlet chamber presenting an opening on one of its faces, a thin ieXible membrane covering said opening, means forsecuring said flexible membranefin position, a sound amplifying trumpet, an air outlet tube passing through the air inlet chamber, and forming the mouth piece and the commencement of the possesses, is adapted for numer-A tube of said trumpet, the membrane being held'under tension against the inlet end of said outlet tube, and means for regulating at will the pressure With which the membrane presses against the end of the tube.

4. A sound generator, comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber, a compressed air supply pipe, the said air inlet chamber presenting an opening in one of its faces, a thin flexible membrane covering said opening al d resting throughout its circumferencer on the edge of said opening, a cover secured on the air inlet chamber and clamping the vcircumference of the membrane on the edge of the opening in said chamber, a

sound amplifying trumpet having a resothe opening of said 35' nator or tube, an a1r outlet tube passing through the air inlet chamber, the said air outlet tube extending rearwardly from the tube of the trumpet and forming a continuation thereof, the rear end of said outlet tube being adapted to press upon the flexible membrane, and an adjustable tension means for regulating the pressure of the outlet tube on the memberane, the said air outlet tube constituting the commencement of the said resonator or tube of the sound amplifying trumpet.

5. A sound generator, comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber, and presenting an opening on one of its faces, a compressed air supply pipe connected With said chamber, a flexible membrane covering air inlet chamber, means for securing said flexible membrane, an air outlet tube passing through the air inlet chamber, the inner end of said tube being arranged to engage the said membrane, tension means for pressing the inner end of said tube and the membrane, one directly on the other and means for regulating the tension means.

6. A sound generator, comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber, a compressed air supply pipe, the 'said inlet chamber presenting'an opening on one of its faces, a flexible membrane covering said opening, means for clamping the circumference of the flexible membrane on the 'edge of the opening in said chamber, a sound amplifying trumpet having a tube, and an air outlet tube extending rearwardly from the trumpet tube and passing through the -air inlet chamber and forming the inlet orifice for the tube of the trumpet, and means for causing the exiblc membrane and the inlet orifice of said air outlet tube to bear with positive pressure one upon the other, and for varymg sa1d pressure.

7. A sound generator, comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber, the said inlet chamber presenting an opening on one of its faces, a flexible membrane covering said. opening,

means for clamping the circumference of the exible membrane, a sound amplifying trumpet connected with said air inlet chamber and projecting therefrom, an air outlet tube extending rearwardly from the tube of the trumpet and passing through the air inlet chamber, the inlet orifice of said tube being at the rear end of the latter and forming the commencement of the tube of the sound amplifying trumpet, the said outlet tube being so arranged that the flexible membrane maj7 press upon its inlet orice, lating said pressure.

8. A sound generator comprising a box constituting an air inlet chamber provided With a nipple adapted to receive the compressed air suppl)T pipe and presenting an opening on one of its faces, a flexible membrane coverin said opening, a cover secured on the air in et chamber and clamping between itself and the edge of the opening in said chamber the circumference of the membrane, an air outlet tube passing through the air inlet chamber, a tension spring for causing the rear or inlet end of said tube and the membrane to press one upon the other, and means for the regulation of the tension of said spring.

9. A sound generator, comprising an air inlet chamber provided With a side nipple, a compressed air supply pipe secured to said nipple, the said air chamber having an opening on one of its faces, a iexible diaphragm covering said opening, an outlet chamber for the air open at its ends and having its inner end arranged Within the said air chamber and projecting atl its outer endv therefrom, the said outlet chamber forming a sound amand means for reguj plifying trumpet,'a tenslon device for causy ing the diaphragm to press on the inner end of said outlet chamber, and means for increasing or decreasing the tension of said device.

10. In a sound generator, having an air inlet, a said chamber, its outer end an air chamber exible membrane in a resonator tube projecting at from said chamber and forming an air outlet tube, the inner end of said air outlet tube bearing directly against the membrane, and adjustable tension means for regulating at will the pressure between the membrane and the air outlet tube according to the pressure of the air supplied.

11. In a sound generator, an air chamber, a flexible membrane in said chamber, a sound amplifying tube projecting at its outer end from said chamber and forming an air outlet tube, the inner end of said tube bearing against the front side of said membrane, a j

the air chamber, at the rear side 12. In a sound generator, an air inlet chamber, having an opening in one of its faces, a ieible membrane covering said opening, a cover secured on the air inlet chamber and clamping the membrane in position over said opening, a sound amplifying tube projecting at its outer end from said chamber, and forming an air outlet tube, the inner end of said tube bearing on the membrane, a tension spring` between the cover and the membrane for pressing the membrane against the inner end of said tube, and adjustable means carried by the cover, for regulating the tension of said spring.

13. In. a sound generator, an air inlet chamber havin an opening in one of its faces, a iiexibe membrane covering said opening, a cover secured on the air inlet chamber and clamping the membrane in position over said opening, the body of the cover being spaced from the membrane, a sound amplifying tube projecting at its .Eil

outer end from said air inlet chamber and forming an air outlet tube, the inner end of said tube bearing on said membrane and forming the inlet for the air from ysaid chamber, a tension spring betvveen the cover and the membrane for pressin the membrane against the inner end o said tube,

means for regulating the tension of said spring, the said cover being provided with vent openings for venting the space between the cover and the membrane, and means for regulating the opening and closinof of said vent openings.

he 'foregoing specification of our improvements in automobile horns is applicable to Wind-instruments generally, signed by us, this fifth day of August, 1913.

ETIENNE TESTE. EUGENE MALIVERT. Witnesses:

HANsoN C. Com, REN THLRIOT. 

